Everett port official resigns; search starts for interim

EVERETT — Port of Everett commissioners voted Monday to accept the resignation of Michael Hoffmann, then tasked the port’s executive director with identifying potential replacements by next week.

The resolution passed by Troy McClelland and Tom Stiger thanked fellow commissioner Hoffman for his service.

“Michael Hoffmann served well, I think, and thoughtfully,” McClelland said afterward.

Hoffmann announced plans to step down last week after questions surfaced about where he was living. He was evicted from his south Everett home earlier this summer and declined to update his voter registration to reflect his new address. That prompted the port to request an investigation by Snohomish County civil deputy prosecutors. That inquiry soon became moot.

In a Monday email to port executive director John Mohr, Hoffmann confirmed his intention to leave.

“I have no interest at this time in accommodating residency stipulations,” he wrote. “As stated, (if) a restoration of my rights were to occur, I would be in compliance. This however, seems to be the crux of my objections to the corporatist limited liability system, in short.”

Stiger and Mohr are to schedule a special meeting next week to discuss the interim appointment.

Hoffmann, 48, was elected in 2007 to represent the commission’s District 3. His six-year term was set to expire at the end of this year. He did not seek re-election.

Glen Bachman, 65, is running for the seat unopposed. Bachman’s campaign website describes him as a longtime manager for Kemper Development Co. of Bellevue. He could be sworn into office after November election results are certified.